The color of food is not just about aesthetics—it influences flavor perception, product acceptance, and even perceived nutritional value. In 2025, natural colorants are not only gaining ground over synthetic ones, they are setting the pace for innovation in the food industry.
Why is the natural colorant market growing?
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global natural food colorants market is estimated at USD 2.03 billion in 2025, with projections reaching USD 2.92 billion by 2030, driven by a CAGR of 7.5%. This growth is directly tied to three main factors:
- Greater consumer awareness: Consumers are demanding clean labels, familiar ingredients, and positive associations between color and health.
- Regulatory pressure: Agencies like the FDA are restricting or banning synthetic dyes such as Red No. 3, creating space for natural alternatives.
- Technical innovation: New technologies make it possible to extract and stabilize natural pigments with better performance and applicability.
New pigments, new horizons
Recently, the FDA approved natural colorants such as gardenia blue and extracts from Galdieria sulphuraria, expanding the natural color palette. Ingredients like spirulina, beetroot, purple sweet potato, and anthocyanins from berries continue to emerge as stable and visually appealing options.
At Farbe Naturals, for instance, we work with plant-based sources like turmeric, chlorophyll, betalains, and malt extract to produce natural tones that adapt to a variety of food matrices.
The challenge of stability
One of the main technical challenges of natural colorants is their stability when exposed to light, heat, pH changes, or oxidation. Current research is exploring microencapsulation, targeted fermentation, and synergistic pigment combinations to improve their performance under real processing conditions.
Natural as a brand strategy
Global companies like Grupo Bimbo and McCormick have announced plans to eliminate artificial colorants from their products between 2026 and 2028. This shift not only responds to consumer demand, but also becomes a statement of values: naturalness, transparency, and commitment.
Conclusion
Natural color is no longer a trend—it's a strategy. And in 2025, it represents a real opportunity for brands looking to connect with more informed, discerning, and conscious consumers.
Investing in natural colorants is not just a technical decision—it's a commitment to a cleaner, more responsible, and forward-thinking approach to food production.
